AN/TPQ-53 radar gets GaN technology
Lockheed Martin has received a contract modification from the US Army to insert Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology into the AN/TPQ-53 (Q-53) radar as part of the full rate production configuration, the company announced on 8 October.
The transition to GaN will improve the Q-53's long-range counter fire target acquisition capabilities.
The multi-mission Q-53’s primary mission is to protect troops in combat by detecting, classifying, tracking and identifying the location of enemy indirect fire in either 360° or 90° modes. Mounted on a five-tonne truck, the Q-53 can be rapidly deployed, automatically levelled then operated remotely or from a command vehicle with a laptop computer.
Rick Herodes, director of the Q-53 program at Lockheed Martin, said: ‘Lockheed Martin is proud the army is adding Q-53 to our family of fielded GaN based radars. This modification takes advantage of our broad experience with radar production and next generation radar development experience coupled with Lockheed Martin’s continuous investment in GaN and other radar technologies.
‘This update enables Q-53 mission growth for changing army needs. We realise how critical it is to enhance the capabilities of the Q-53 so it can be responsive to the evolving operational demands and emerging threats our deployed troops face every day.’
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